Carragher tips Wisdom to thrive

Jamie Carragher believes fellow Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom can become a star for the Anfield club in coming seasons.

Wisdom, 19, has started to feature in the first team for Liverpool this season along with the likes of Suso and Raheem Sterling, and looks set to play against Swansea in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday.

Veteran Carragher – who is also in line for an appearance against Swansea – thinks Wisdom and his young team-mates can become regulars if they work hard and continue to show belief in themselves.

“When you are Andre’s age, you look after yourself. If you don’t do well when you get a chance as a young lad, you might not get another. But Andre has been excellent. He is a Liverpool player. He can pass the ball,” Carragher told the Daily Mail.

“All the kids who have come in during the last 18 months have been the same. Jack Robinson, Jon Flanagan, Raheem Sterling, Suso and Andre – they have all done really well. I’m sure there will be others too.

“It’s good for them to be nervous. It shows they care. If I play against Swansea, I’ll be a little bit nervous as I want to do well. You should have belief in yourself but you need that edge. It keeps you on your toes. Obviously if the nerves go too far, it shows they are not up to it. But Andre has shown that he can.”

Wisdom spoke of his delight at being tutored on the job by Carragher, explaining it is a big step from going from low-key reserve games to the pressures of the Premier League: “It is always good to play alongside experienced players. ‘Carra’ never stops talking. You need that in the game.

“It is different when you are playing in big games in front of big crowds. If you get 50 people for reserve games, you are lucky. It is very nerve-wracking when you are playing for Liverpool.”